Communication system for rebroadcasting electronic content within local area network

Abstract

A system of distributing electronic content has a network operations center generating a broadcast signal having digital electronic content. A communication backbone is coupled to the network operations center. A base station receives the broadcast signal from the backbone. The base station receives the broadcast signal and forms a wireless local area network. The base station rebroadcasts at least a portion of the broadcast signal as a rebroadcast signal using the wireless local network. A user appliance is positioned with said local area network and receives the rebroadcast signal.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09 / 564,082 filed on May 3, 2000. The present application claims priority to provisional applications each of which are incorporated by reference herein as follows: Ser. Nos. 60 / 249,153 filed on Nov. 16, 2000, entitled “Mobile Multimedia Subscription Programming Delivery System”; Ser. No. 60 / 262,811 filed on Jan. 19, 2001, entitled “A New Method For Delivering In-Vehicle Entertainment Services”; Ser. No. 60 / 268,482 filed on Feb. 12, 2001, entitled “Portable Handheld Devices To Receive Digital Over The Air Broadcasts”; Ser. No. 60 / 271,578 filed on Feb. 22, 2001, entitled “A New Method And System For Delivering Mobile Direct To Home Entertainment Services”, and Ser. No. 60 / 272,741 filed on Mar. 1, 2001, entitled “A New Method And System For Delivering Entertainment To Portable Devices”. The present application is also related to U.S. patent application entitled; “Digital Over-The-Air Communication S...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]One advantage of the invention is that the system may be used by multiple users within the local area network. Also, the system may also be extended beyond residential use into commercial use such as within commercial buildings and mass transit.

Problems solved by technology

However, such devices have heretofore been limited to Internet applications.

Satellite connectivity directly to mobile devices has typically been expensive due to the size and complexity of antennas desired.

Therefore, it was previously assumed that no economical method for delivering cable-like channels to mobile devices was practical.

Further, such connectivity may be restricted or eliminated entirely within a building.

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